SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION OF BINARY METAL OXIDE NANOCOMPOSITES

Abstract

Binary metal oxide nanocomposites have attracted a lot of interest because of their distinct benefits over monometallic nanoparticles. In the present work, iron oxide-manganese oxide (α Fe2O3-Mn2O3) nanocomposites were synthesized via thermal decomposition of Fe-Mn glycolate precursors. The glycolate precursors were prepared using cost effective method using ethylene glycol. The prepared samples were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), CHNS analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties were investigated using a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). α-Fe2O3-Mn2O3 nanocomposites show higher coercivity at low temperature as compared to pure α-Fe2O3 and Mn2O3 nanoparticles. They act as good absorbent for the removal of crystal violet dye and show better adsorption efficiency than pure α-Fe2O3 and Mn2O3 nanoparticles.